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A MAN used boltcutters to bust his dog out of death row then went on the run with the pooch because of his love for the animal, a court has heard.
Ronnie Gilbertson’s Staffordshire terrier-cross Max was to be destroyed last year by Grant District Council, in South Australia’s southeast, after mauling a neighbour’s dog.
Gilbertson was given time to say goodbye, but instead the 42-year-old used boltcutters to free the dog from a cage then fled to Western Australia.
He was arrested in July and recently pleaded guilty to contempt in relation to a court order for him to return the dog.
In sentencing submissions in the South Australian Court today, defence counsel Joana Fuller said Gilbertson took his dog and fled out of his concern for his pet’s psychological wellbeing.
“He could not bear the thought of returning Max to custody,” she told the court.
“His actions were motivated out of a concern for his dog and only a concern for his dog’s welfare and nothing else.
“His love of his dog clouded his decision making and judgment.”
Ms Fuller said it was the strong bond between Max and Gilbertson – a bond that other people might not understand – that led him to free the dog and become a fugitive.
She also told the court that Max had been euthanased by a vet in Perth after biting another dog.
Ms Fuller asked the court to impose a suspended sentence.
The council’s lawyer, Anthony Floreani, did not oppose such action but said his client would seek to recover costs.
Gilbertson was remanded on continuing bail to be sentenced on a later date.

This is a hard one…..I understand how this man must have felt….but when a dog goes off the rails & has a problem such as Max had I think it was time to take action…..I love my dog but if I had that trouble for my dog’s sake I too would have euthanased my dog……